Free CEU/CPD Courses for Athletic Trainers (2026)

TL;DR

• Gatorade Sport Science Institute offers free, self-paced sports science education, with Category A hours varying by course.
• Andrews Institute provides free recorded lectures and leadership education, with eligible Category A credit listed per session.
• ATVantage Academy offers free, self-paced athletic training courses, with Category A value shown on each course.
• Human Kinetics provides online continuing education in several formats, though cost and Category A hours vary.
• Phil Plisky’s list collects free CEU opportunities in one place, but the list does not award hours itself.
• Physicourses provides paid, self-paced courses with Category A options alongside HEP and clinical tools.

Physicourses serves as a paid fallback after free hours run out, not the top free pick.

Why this list and how it was built

Athletic trainers often combine courses from several free sources to complete Category A hours before license renewal. This list brings those options into one working reference, with each source assessed by cost, delivery format, sports-setting relevance, and clearly stated Category A value.

Course availability and BOC approval can change, so the list favors sources whose current approval details can be checked before enrollment. Athletic trainers should still verify each course and save its completion certificate.

The roundup includes free sources plus one paid option, Physicourses. Physicourses suits athletic trainers who have exhausted suitable free courses or prefer continuing education and clinical tools in one platform. No provider paid for inclusion, and the paid entry does not receive priority over the free options.

What counts as a Category A CEU for athletic trainers

Category A CEUs come from continuing education programs offered by a current BOC Approved Provider. The provider must designate the program for Category A credit and state the number of eligible hours. Category A covers structured professional education, such as webinars, recorded lectures, conferences, and self-paced courses that relate to athletic training practice.

Other BOC categories may cover activities such as college coursework, professional presentations, or other approved learning experiences. Athletic trainers often prioritize Category A because free course providers commonly offer credit in this category, and BOC reporting rules may limit how much credit you can claim through other categories.

Before enrolling, confirm the provider’s BOC approval status and provider number. BOC approves providers rather than endorsing every individual course, so also check the course page or completion certificate for its Category A designation and hour value. Keep the certificate and course details in case the BOC audits your renewal record. State licensing boards may apply separate continuing education rules.

What to look for in a free CEU source

Category A hour value. Check the number of Category A hours each course awards, and compare it with the hours you still need during your reporting period.

Delivery format. Choose self-paced video or recorded lectures for schedule flexibility. Choose live webinars when you prefer real-time instruction or discussion.

Sport-setting relevance. Review the course topics for direct use in your setting. High school, collegiate, and professional sports can involve different clinical, administrative, and leadership needs.

BOC approval verifiability. Confirm that the course qualifies for Category A credit through a current BOC Approved Provider. Keep the provider details and completion certificate for your records.

Comparison table

Gatorade Sport Science Institute

Best for

Athletic trainers who want sports science education related to hydration, nutrition, recovery, and performance in athletic settings.

What it is

The Gatorade Sports Science Institute offers educational content for sports health and performance professionals. Available formats and eligible Category A hours can vary by course, so review each listing before enrolling.

Pros

GSSI makes its educational content available at no cost, which helps athletic trainers add relevant coursework without using a CEU budget. Sports science topics can apply across high school, collegiate, and professional environments.

Cons

GSSI does not provide a fixed number of Category A hours across its catalog. Some educational resources may not award CEUs, and course availability can change. Confirm the BOC provider information, eligible hours, and completion requirements on the current course page before counting any credit toward renewal.

Preços

GSSI educational content covered by this roundup is free. Individual listings determine whether a course awards Category A credit and how many hours it provides.

Andrews Institute lecture and leadership series

Best for: Athletic trainers in collegiate or professional sports who want recorded education with a leadership and sports medicine focus.

What it is: The Andrews Institute lecture and leadership series offers recorded sessions that you can complete around clinical and travel schedules. The leadership content may suit athletic trainers who supervise staff, coordinate care, or work within larger sports medicine departments.

Pros: Recorded lectures provide more scheduling flexibility than live webinars. The mix of clinical and leadership education also supports athletic trainers whose roles include management responsibilities.

Cons: Published Category A hour values and current course availability require confirmation before enrollment. Check each course listing for its BOC approved provider details, eligible hours, completion rules, and certificate requirements. Do not assume every recorded session qualifies for credit.

Pricing: The lecture and leadership series is available free of charge. Confirm current access terms when registering, since course availability and CE eligibility can change.

ATVantage Academy

Best for

Athletic trainers who prefer self-paced courses and want to fill Category A hours around an unpredictable schedule.

What it is

ATVantage Academy offers a free catalog of online continuing education courses. Available subjects and credit values can change, so review each course listing before enrolling rather than assuming every course carries Category A credit.

Pros

The self-paced format lets you complete coursework without attending a scheduled webinar. A broader catalog may also help you choose education that fits your sports setting and current learning needs.

Cons

ATVantage Academy does not provide a single fixed Category A total across its changing catalog. You must confirm the credit value, BOC approval information, and completion deadline for each course.

Preços

Courses in the free catalog cost nothing to access. Check the current listing for any optional materials or separately priced offerings, and save your completion certificate for renewal records.

Human Kinetics

Best for. Human Kinetics suits athletic trainers who want education tied to sports science, coaching, strength and conditioning, or rehabilitation.

What it is. Human Kinetics publishes professional books and continuing education materials across sports, exercise, and health. Its catalog may include webinars, online courses, and book-based learning relevant to athletic training.

Pros. The publisher covers a broad range of sports and exercise topics. Multiple learning formats let you choose material that fits your schedule and professional interests.

Cons. Human Kinetics does not function as a dedicated hub for free athletic training CEUs. Availability, price, and credit eligibility vary by product. Confirm that a specific offering qualifies for BOC Category A credit before enrolling.

Pricing. Some educational resources may be free or low cost, while courses and book-based packages typically require payment. Check the current listing for price, credit hours, and BOC approval details.

Phil Plisky's free CEU list

Best for. Phil Plisky’s list suits athletic trainers who want a supplementary source for finding free CEUs beyond the providers covered here.

What it is. The independent roundup collects links to free continuing education opportunities rather than hosting courses itself. Its curator format can surface new offers as providers add or remove courses.

Pros. The list saves research time and gives you another place to check when familiar catalogs have no relevant options. Regular updates can make it useful throughout a reporting period.

Cons. Course availability, format, and Category A value depend on the linked provider. Older links may become unavailable, so verify each course’s current BOC approval and hour value before enrolling.

Pricing. The roundup is free to access. Individual courses set their own prices, though the list focuses on free opportunities.

Cursos Physicourses

Best for

Athletic trainers who have exhausted free Category A options or want continuing education and clinical tools under one subscription.

What it is

Physicourses is Physitrack’s continuing education platform. The US subscription bundles CEU courses with home exercise program software and remote therapeutic monitoring. Its library covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and chiropractic, with more than 2,500 hours across 400-plus courses. You should verify BOC eligibility for each course before enrolling.

Pros

The combined platform lets you complete education, prescribe exercises, and monitor athlete participation without maintaining separate subscriptions. The course library offers enough breadth to support ongoing education beyond one renewal cycle.

Cons

Physicourses charges a subscription fee, while the free sources above may cover your needs if you still have suitable Category A courses available. Some clinical platform features may offer limited value if you only need a few remaining hours. Course approval and credit values can vary, so you still need to check each listing.

Preços

US pricing starts at $30 per user per month for the Physicourses, HEP, and RTM bundle. RTM also carries an $8 monthly charge for each active patient. The subscription suits clinicians who will use the clinical tools alongside continuing education better than trainers seeking one free course.

Comparison at a glance

✅ Strong fit 🟡 Check current details ❌ Does not meet the free criterion

Which source fits your situation

High school athletic trainers working within a limited budget can start with Gatorade Sport Science Institute for sports science topics and ATVantage Academy for self-paced study. Phil Plisky’s list can help you find additional free courses when either catalog lacks a relevant topic.

Collegiate athletic trainers who need leadership-focused education should check the Andrews Institute series first. Human Kinetics can supplement those hours with free or low-cost courses across sports medicine and human performance topics.

Athletic trainers in professional settings may prefer Physicourses after exhausting free options. Its paid subscription consolidates continuing education and home exercise program tools in one system. In the USA, the bundle also includes remote therapeutic monitoring. Before enrolling, confirm that each chosen course carries the Category A credit you need for your reporting period.

Verifying BOC approval and meeting your Category A requirement

Confirm eligibility before enrolling. Search the BOC Approved Provider directory for the organization, then compare the provider name and number with the information on the course page. Review any available course listing to confirm the activity awards Category A hours and applies to your current reporting period.

Save the course description, approval details, payment receipt if applicable, and completion certificate. A screenshot can preserve information that may disappear when a provider updates its catalog, but the official certificate remains the primary completion record. Make sure each certificate shows your name, completion date, provider, course title, and awarded hours.

Check your BOC account well before the reporting deadline. Compare your recorded Category A hours with the current requirement for your certification cycle, since renewal rules can change. Free and paid hours can count together when each activity meets BOC requirements and falls within the correct reporting period.

Perguntas frequentes

• Are these courses really free? A free CEU course charges no enrollment fee, although certificate fees or access limits may apply. Physicourses is the paid option included for athletic trainers who want a larger course library. Confirm all fees and Category A eligibility before enrolling.

• How many Category A hours do I need? Your required total depends on the BOC rules for your current reporting period. Physicourses hours count only when the selected course meets the applicable BOC requirements. Check your BOC portal before planning your courses.

• Can I mix free and paid CEU sources? BOC reporting can include eligible hours earned through multiple approved sources. Physicourses can supplement free courses when you need more options or prefer one platform. Save each completion certificate and provider approval detail for your records.